Rock Cycle Worksheet

Three Types of Rocks: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

The Rock Cycle Worksheet provides information and projects
for students in 3rd to 6th grade.


Free Download Below

Rock Cycle Worksheet

Weather Unit Study

MatchCard Science Rocks Cycle Worksheet

Objective: Explain how the three major types of rocks are formed.

MatchCard: Download below.

MatchCard Information Pieces define and describe igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, which can be used as a rock cycle worksheet. Ideas for projects are listed on the instructor's page and below.

Download and Use the Rock Cycle Worksheet

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This is MatchCard #4 of the Geology Unit Study. Look below for more information on MatchCards and the MatchCard Science curriculum.

Teaching the Rock Cycle

rock

Igneous Rocks

What are igneous rocks?
Igneous rocks are formed from the lava or magma of volcanos. When the volcanic material cools, it hardens into rock.

Igneous rocks are the starting point of all rocks, and are the most numerous on the Earth.

How can I tell if this rock is igneous?
Igenous rocks are usually porous, or have small pockets of air. Bread and styrofoam are also porous.
Tear off a small piece of bread or styrofoam and notice the pores.

Igneous Rocks have smaller pores. Other rocks may be porous as well, but the pore of igneous rocks usually are about the same size and distance apart.

Identify igneous rocks on the rock cycle worksheet.
The igneous rocks are identified by the line at the top, indicating they are formed from volcanic lava.

Memory Device: Igenous rocks were ignited by volcanoes.

Sedimentary Rocks

What are sedimentary rocks?
The weathering process causes the formation of sedimentary rocks. As other rocks are broken into small pieces they are carried away by water. Sedimentation is the layering of different rocks and substances in water, such as a creek or river bed.

Different particles of different rocks and other substances become compressed. These other substances may be shells or fossils. The weight of the Earth's surface compresses these layered particles into sedimentary rock.

How can I tell if this rock is sedimentary?
If you have a large enough chunk of rock, one might see the different colored substances that made up the rock.

Look at the sedimentation process.
You may want to do the Rain Erosion project from the Weathering MatchCard to investigate how sedimentation occurs.

It is also interesting to take a field trip to large rock formations. Often you can see the layering of these rocks, even from a distance.

Identify sedimentary rocks on the rock cycle worksheet.
Identify sedimentary rocks as those closer to the top of the earth's surface, indicating that the weathering process causes their formation.

Metamorphic Rocks

What are metamorphic rocks?
Metamorphic rocks are formed when other rocks are partially melted and remolded. This occurs deep under the Earth's surface where the temperature has increased.

Metamorphosis means change. We are often familiar with the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Metamorphosis is the change of one type of rock to another through the process of heat and pressure as the rock is melted and re-molded.

How can I tell if this rock is igneous?
Some forms of metamorphic rock, such as marble, show the mixing and molding of more than one substance. Some metamorphic rocks are foliated, or banded, which shows the direction of the pressure applied during the rocks' formation.

Identify metamorphic rocks on the rock cycle worksheet.
The metamorphic rocks are identified as the line underground, which indicates they are formed below the Earth's surface. As geologic processes occur, these metamorphic rocks can become magma; and the cycle restarts.

Memory Device: Melting and Molding Morphs Metamorphic Rocks.

Collect Rocks

During your geology unit study, the student should collect specimens of rocks from your area. Let them try to identify which are igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.

After trying to identify them, let them look in a rock field guide or on-line pictures of common rocks.

Is it hard to tell? Don't get discouraged. Remember, we are often looking at small fragments of rocks, which makes it much harder to identify it. Compare that to trying to identify a tree if you had only one small piece of the bark. An expert could do it, but it might be a challenge for a novice.

Emulate the Rock Cycle

Try this project to emulate the rock cycle.

Supplies Needed Make Igneous Rocks
Now, you have four types of igneous rocks. (Okay, it does take a little imagination, too.)

Make Sedimentary Rocks
Check out your sedimentary rock. How does it differ from a real sedimentary rock?

Let's Morph the Rock
Now we are going to change our sedimentary rock into a metamorphic rock.

Take the "rock" you made with crayons from the last activity. What do you think of your metamorphic rock?

Start the Cycle Over Again
To demonstrate that the rock cycle IS a cycle, have the students grate the metamorphic rock to start all over again.



Go Eat Rocks!

Here’s a yummy way to review the rock cycle: metamorphic fudge!

Igneous

Melt & mix these ingredients to make igneous rocks:

Sedimentary

Make a layer of sedimentary rocks by pressing together:

Metamorphic

Let’s morph it all together. Fold the solid ingredients into the hot mixture. Can heat some more if needed. Pour onto waxed paper and continue folding the mixture onto itself. Let your rocks cool before eating them.




In addition to the Rock Cycle Worksheet, MatchCard, and Projects; check out our other rock, mineral and geology activities in this unit study. >



MatchCard Science

How To Use MatchCards

MatchCard

MatchCards make science concepts and corresponding vocabulary interactive. As students move the information pieces on the MatchCards they review the material they have already learned.

Download the FREE MatchCard Science Instructor's Guide and see how MatchCards can make building their science knowledge base fun.

Geology Unit Study

Geology Unit Study Cover

Our nine objectives will turn your rock hunting student into a genuine junior geologist. Core content and hands-on projects in the Geology Unit Study will keep them watching the ground under the feet.

12 Science Unit Studies

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Chemistry is only one of twelve complete unit studies for kids in 3rd to 8th grade.

Comprehensive objectives, hands-on projects, suggested science fair experiments, and the fun game-like MatchCards keep them interested in learning science. See all twelve MatchCard Science Unit Studies.

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